Dionne Warvick and other members of Zeta Phi Beta

Happy Founder’s Day to the ladies of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc! Celebrating 105 years of sisterhood, scholarship, service and finer women’s lives. In honor of Founders Day, here are five oh-so-sweet ladies Zeta Phi Beta.

Tatiana Ali

When we name the “It Girls” of the 90s, we always mention the beautiful and talented Tatyana Ali. With her role as Ashley Banks on NBC’s hit sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Ali was a role model for black women everywhere.

Like many child actors, Ali started with the educational program Sesame Street. She also appeared in two episodes of Star Search. Ali joined the cast of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in 1990. She played Ashley Banks until the series ended in 1996. While on the show, Ali was able to showcase her talents in both singing and acting.

Ali sang during several episodes of the show, prompting co-star Will Smith to ask if she would ever consider a career in music. But she had a short music career, debuting with her first album, Kiss the Sky, in 1998. The album went gold in early 1999. She participated in several projects with other famous artists, including MC Light and partner Will Smith.

Although The Fresh Prince of Bel Air is Ali’s best-known role, she has been featured in several other projects, including The Brothers, Glory Road, Nora’s Hair Salon, Love That Girl! and The Young and the Restless.

Ali is a graduate of Harvard University, graduating in 2002 with a BA in African American History and Government. She is also the co-founder of HazraH Entertainment, a production company dedicated to creating quality content for underserved communities.

Tatiana Ali became an honorary member of Zeta Phi Beta last July during the sorority’s Bowl in Indianapolis.

Chaka Khan

With a career spanning more than five decades, it’s no wonder Chaka Khan is known as the “Queen of Funk.” Whether it was with Rufus or solo, Chaka Khan has released many generational hits throughout her career.

Many people don’t know that Chaka Khan, before becoming the legendary singer we know and love today, was a member of the Black Panther Party. She devoted most of her time to the free Black Panther breakfast. That’s where she got the name Chaka.

In 1972, Khan joined the group Rufus after then-singer Paulette McWilliams left the group. The following year, they signed with ABC Records and released their self-titled debut album. Their hit album, Tell Me Something Good, won them a Grammy Award and reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100. Rufus and Khan released ten more studio albums. Some of their biggest hits are Sweet Thing, Once You Get Started and Do What You Feel.

Khan released her debut solo album in 1978. The album featured the big disco hit I’m Every Woman. She continued to release solo projects while still working with Rufus. Khan has released 12 solo studio albums during her career. Some of her biggest hits are Through the Fire, Higher Love, Addicted to Love, Love You All My Lifetime, Do You Love What You Feel and Ain’t Nobody.

Khan has ten Grammy Awards and has been named one of the most successful dance club artists of all time by Billboard.

Chaka Kahn became an honorary member of Zeta Phi Beta in 2020.

Lewis talent

Many people don’t know that Dawn Lewis helped write one of the most famous theme songs in television history. Not only did she star in NBC’s hit show A Different World, but she also co-wrote the theme song for the first season. Her character, Jaleesa Vinson, introduced us to an unconventional college student.

But before she got to Hillman, Lewis graduated from the University of Miami in 1982 with a degree in musical theater with a minor in journalism. Before landing her breakthrough role in A Different World, she appeared in the national tour of the Broadway musical The Tap. Dance Kid. Lewis starred as Jaylisa Vinson in the first five of the six seasons of A Different World from 1987 to 1992.

That same year, Lewis starred in the ABC sitcom Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper, alongside Mark Curry and Holly Robinson Peet. She, along with Pete and R&B group En Vogue, sang the theme song for the show. She only acted in the first season of the show.

In addition to television, Lewis has several video game and theater credits. She has provided voices for the video games True Crime: New York City, Mortal Kombat and X-Men. She has also appeared in other television shows and movies, including The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, Futurama, Let It Shine and Doc McStuffins.

Lewis recently reunited with her A Different World co-stars for a HBCU multi-city tour.

Dawn Lewis became an honorary member of Zeta Phi Beta in 2022.

Dionne Warwick

Dionne Warwick is one of the most famous vocalists in history. Talent is in her blood, as she is the first cousin of the late and great Whitney Houston.

Growing up in New Jersey, Warwick began singing gospel as a child. Furthering her passion for music, she attended Hart College of Music in Connecticut. While singing backing vocals with her group, Warwick caught the attention of Bert Bacharach and eventually landed her own recording contract.

Warwick later joined some of her family members in the Drinkard Singers. After spending some time with the Drinkard Singers, she joined The Gospelaires. It was not until 1962 that she received great recognition as a solo artist. In the same year, she released her major solo hit, Don’t Make Me Over. She then followed it up with two more hit singles, This Empty Place and Make The Music Play.

During her career, Warwick released 40 studio albums. These albums include hits such as Walk on Bee, I Said a Little Prayer, Anyone Who Had a Heart, Alfie, I’ll Nell Fall in Love Again, Heartbreaker and That’s What Friends Are For. She is ranked as one of the greatest hit makers between 1955 and 1999 based on her Billboard chart history. Warwick is also the second most charted female vocalist in the rock era. Billboard listed her as one of the greatest female artists of all time.

Warwick has numerous awards, including six Grammy Awards, four NAACP Image Awards, a Billboard and an American Music Award. She has also been inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Grammy Hall of Fame, the National Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame, Rock and Roll Hall of Fameand the Apollo Theater Walk of Fame.

Dionne Warvick became an honorary member of Zeta Phi Beta in 1978.

Vivica A. Fox

There are few classics from the early 2000s that didn’t star Vivica A. Fox. And in her name, she means always reserved and busy as she has starred in some of everyone’s favorite television shows and movies throughout her career.

After graduating from Golden West College, Fox briefly danced on the musical variety show Soul Train from 1983 to 1984. She began acting professionally in 1988 on the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives as Carmen Silva. The following year, she made her film debut in Born on the Fourth of July. Later that year, she joined the cast of Generations, another soap opera on NBC.

In the early 1990s, Fox made several guest appearances on a number of primetime television shows, including The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Beverly Hills, 90210, Family Matters, Matlock and Martin. In 1992, she played Patti Labelle’s daughter in the NBC sitcom Out All Night.

Fox had a major television and film run from 1996 to 2003. She starred in major hits including Independence Day, Set It Off, Booty Call, Soul Food, Why Do Fools Fall in Love, Two Can Play That Game, Juvanna Man and Kill Bill. Her other notable projects include Missing and Empire.

During her career, Fox starred in nearly 250 feature films, television shows and made-for-television productions. She has produced more than 40 television films and films.

Vivica A. Fox became an honorary member of Zeta Phi Beta in 2020.